El Nopalito Market, Restaurant and Tortilleria in Encinitas

 El Nopalito is just off I-5 in Encinitas.  We went first to the restaurant, which is a separate building, closer to the gas station.  We had some cheap, hearty food.  I had a combo with an enchilada, tamal, rice and beans.  My friend had a bean tostada.  Lunch was $17.  Amazing!  The food was good and filling.  

We went over to the market.  El Nopalito makes excellent tortillas on site.  We had had their chips before and they are great - a good corn taste, not too salty and not oily.  The market is nice.  I bought some excellent tomatoes!  In addition to fresh torillas, there is an assortment of fresh pan dulce and other baked goods.  There are canned goods, meats, produce, spices, dried chiles, Mexican candy, mole sauces and lots more.  I bought a type of tea (seven blossoms) to try.  It is great destination for a cook or if you just enjoy trying some different foods.

                                                        I love pan dulce!  Tortillas are made back there.

                                                Every kind of dried chile

                                                        Bean tostada

                                                        tamal and enchilada combo

El Nopalito means "little cactus".  Cute!